NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: The Holy Kingdom
The smoke had dissipated, leaving behind only a heavy silence. The saint was still on her knees, her body trembling after the activation of Kael's Aura of Terror. Her frightened eyes were fixed on the man who, just moments ago, had exuded such a terrifying demonic energy that she had nearly lost consciousness.
But instead of a bloodthirsty demon, she saw a young man with a radiant smile offering her a rose.
"May the Goddess of Light be with you, fair lady. Are you all right?"
[Skill: Romantic Manipulation Activated]
The saint's eyes widened in utter confusion. Just a moment ago, she was convinced she was going to die. Now, this man was speaking to her like a gallant knight addressing a noble maiden.
"Y-You… are… a demon…?" she stammered.
"Me? A demon? Come now, my dear, look at me properly. Do I look demonic to you?"
Kael struck a theatrical pose, running a hand through his pristine white hair and flashing a charming smile. His divine appearance completely contrasted with the demonic aura that had surrounded him earlier.
The saint shook her head, trying to gather her thoughts.
"I… felt your energy… It's demonic… You can't deceive me!"
"Ahh, I see. You are a woman of faith, a saint capable of perceiving impure energy," Kael murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
He quickly assessed the situation. If she reported his demonic energy to the other knights, he would likely be executed without trial. He had to erase that impression from her mind. Fortunately… he had a solution.
[Skill: Purification Activated]
A burst of light radiated from his body, erasing all visible traces of his demonic energy. The saint's eyes widened in shock.
"W-What?! Your energy… it became pure?!"
Kael gave her an innocent smile.
"Of course! I am a man of great virtue. Perhaps your fear made you see things…"
[Skill: Romantic Manipulation – Success!]
The saint blushed slightly, confused. Could it be that she had been mistaken?
Kael crouched down to her level and gently took her hand.
"I understand. In this world filled with darkness, a woman as pure as you must always be on guard… But rest assured, I mean you no harm."
"R-Really…?"
She felt strange. The energy emanating from him now seemed benevolent, almost divine… so why could she still remember the absolute terror he had exuded just moments ago?
Kael slightly tightened his grip on her hand and gazed into her eyes with his golden ones.
"But enough about me… Let's talk about you, my dear. Tell me, why would a saint and her knights be hunting demons so far from the Holy Kingdom?"
The saint hesitated, but for a moment, her gaze was lost in Kael's charming smile. She felt her heart race against her will.
"I-It was… a special mission… We received information about a high-ranking demon appearing in this region…"
Kael nodded, feigning surprise.
"Oh, what a coincidence… And do you think this demon could be… me?"
"I…"
She hesitated. She had been certain he had exuded terrifying demonic energy, but now he appeared to be a distinguished nobleman, radiating a holy aura…
Kael softly caressed the back of her hand, his smile growing more tender.
"I wonder… In a world filled with deception, a woman as pure as you must be ever cautious. But rest assured, I mean you no harm."
"R-Really…?"
She felt strange. The energy surrounding her now was calm and warm, a stark contrast to the darkness she had sensed before.
[Skill: Romantic Manipulation – Success!]
Kael suppressed a devious smirk.
"Yes… Perhaps even the Pope himself?"
The saint gasped in shock.
Kael knew he had just planted the seed of doubt in her mind… and that was all he needed.
The sun was setting on the horizon, casting a golden light over the plain where Kael's group was camping. Around him, the knights and servants murmured, still in shock after the surprise attack by the Saint and the two holy knights. Some were perplexed, others angry.
Kael, however, was strangely calm.
His mind was racing. He knew that if this saint revealed what she had seen, he would become an enemy of the Holy Kingdom and the Empire. He had to strike first.
But to do that, he had to convince his own group…
Kael stood on a rock, overlooking the camp. All eyes turned to him as he raised his hand.
"Friends… we were attacked today."
A heavy silence fell.
"A saint and two knights from the Holy Kingdom tried to kill me."
Surprised murmurs erupted in the crowd.
"You're wondering why? So am I. I did nothing against them, and yet…"
He paused, observing their reactions. Some knights were already frowning, others were waiting for the next part.
[Unique Skill: Master of Manipulation activated]
A subtle shiver passed through the crowd. Kael could feel his influence growing in each person's mind.
"The Holy Kingdom… attacked us without reason. Think about it. If today they tried to kill an Empire noble, who will be next?"
A knight clenched his fists.
"They think they're above everything…"
Kael nodded, playing on their resentment.
"Exactly. And I haven't even mentioned the rumors..."
The murmurs intensified.
"What rumors?" asked a servant.
Kael pretended to hesitate.
"Some say that the Pope himself practices forbidden rituals…"
The effect was immediate.
"WHAT?!"
"The Pope, a heretic?!"
Kael raised his hand to calm the tumult.
"I'm just reporting what I've heard… but after what happened today, can we really ignore these suspicions?"
He scanned his group.
Anger, confusion, indignation… everything was mixing together.
He smiled inwardly. Everything is going according to plan.
"That's why I say… it's time to act. We can't let these fanatics attack us with impunity."
A knight drew his sword and shouted:
"FOR THE DRAVEN FAMILY!"
"FOR THE EMPIRE!"
In moments, his entire escort was ready to fight.
[Master of Manipulation – Success!]
Kael hid his smile.
It was time to execute his real plan.
Kael moved away from the camp and closed his eyes.
[Unique Skill: Dominion over Darkness activated]
His shadow lengthened, twisting like a living creature. Then, it stretched at lightning speed, slipping under the ground and disappearing into the night.
Kilometers away, within the Holy Kingdom, a shadow rose discreetly near the cathedral. It concentrated, then released a wave of terrifying demonic energy.
The effect was immediate.
"A DEMONIC ENERGY IN THE HOLY KINGDOM?!"
"IT'S HERESY!"
The bells rang the alarm, and holy knights ran in all directions, searching for the source of this sudden corruption.
Kael smiled as he felt the chaos unfold.
He knew the rumors about the Pope would explode.
Now, on to the final step...
The next morning, Kael and his improvised army marched toward the gates of the Holy Kingdom.
"HALT!" shouted a holy knight from atop the ramparts. "Who dares approach the sacred domain?"
Kael calmly stepped forward, a friendly smile on his face.
"Me, Kael Draven, humble noble of the Empire… and also a victim of your unjust attack."
"Lies! No order was given to attack a noble!"
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Then why did three members of the Holy Kingdom try to kill me in the forest?"
The knight remained silent.
Kael crossed his arms.
"And what about that… strange demonic energy that invaded your capital last night?"
A shiver ran through the enemy ranks.
"I-It was an anomaly!"
Kael shook his head.
"Or perhaps evidence… that the Pope is hiding something."
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Kael smiled. He knew the holy knights were loyal to their faith… but their faith rested on purity.
If they began to doubt the Pope… it was over for them.
The knight atop the ramparts hesitated, then gave the order to attack.
"ELIMINATE THEM!"
The assault began brutally.
The holy knights charged in tight formation, their lances glowing with sacred energy.
But Kael was not worried.
[Unique Skill: Dominion over Darkness activated]
Shadows rose from the ground, grabbing the knights' legs and unbalancing them. Some collapsed, others were dragged into the ground, screaming.
Kael raised his hand.
[Ability: Aura of Terror activated]
A wave of dark energy spread across the battlefield.
Some knights stopped dead in their tracks, their faces twisted with fear.
"I-It's… impossible…"
"I-It's not human!"
Kael slowly advanced, a sword in his hand.
He parried a blow, then pierced a knight's heart.
[Devourer Skill activated]
The knight's sacred energy was absorbed, strengthening Kael's body.
His eyes glowed for a moment with a golden light.
"What irony…" he murmured.
The battle raged on for several hours.
Kael carved his way through the enemy lines, eliminating the strongest and absorbing their energy. His aura grew increasingly intense.
Beside him, his knights fought with unprecedented ferocity.
But the greatest challenge was yet to come.
In the distance, the gates of the sacred palace opened.
An army of elite paladins, led by the Pope himself, advanced onto the battlefield.
The old man wore golden armor, and his staff shimmered with divine energy.
"HERETIC!" he roared.
Kael smiled, wiping the blood from his sword.
"Oh, Your Holiness… I've been waiting for you."
The final duel was about to begin.